Useful Information for Backpacking Egypt

We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.

You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.

Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.

We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).

The best time to visit Egypt is during Autumn (September–November) and Winter (December–February). These months offer cooler, much more comfortable temperatures for exploring the pyramids, temples, and cruising the Nile.

Egypt has a desert climate: dry and sunny almost all year, with temperatures that change a lot with the seasons.

• Spring (March to May): warm days and cool evenings, getting hot by May.
• Summer (June to August): very hot, especially inland in Luxor and Aswan, where it is often above 40°C.
• Autumn (September to November): still hot in September, easing into comfortable sightseeing weather by October.
• Winter (December to February): mild, sunny days and chilly evenings, especially in the desert.

Our Egypt weather guide goes month by month.

Yes, ATMs are widely available in main cities and accept Visa and Mastercard. However, cash is king in Egypt, especially at local markets, street food stalls, and small shops. Your Tour Leader will help you find the best ATMs with the lowest fees.

The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken and understood in tourist areas, hotels, and major sites, but learning a few basic Arabic phrases is always appreciated by the locals!

No, tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink. We strictly recommend drinking bottled, filtered, or purified water throughout your trip.

Millions of people visit Egypt every year and most trips are trouble-free. Crime is generally low, and the main nuisances are touts and scams around the big sites, which your group leader will help you handle.

The UK government does advise against travel to some areas, mainly North Sinai, the Libyan border and much of the Western Desert, and it notes a terrorism risk, as it does for many countries. The Nile Valley, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Faiyum are not among the areas it advises against. Read the UK government's travel advice for Egypt before you book and again before you fly. We monitor it for every departure.

Yes. Tipping, known as baksheesh, is a big part of daily life in Egypt, and many people working in tourism rely on it. Restaurants often add a service charge, but leaving around 10% extra is normal.

Small tips are expected for toilet attendants, porters, drivers, local guides, felucca crews and anyone who helps you out. Keep a stash of small Egyptian pound notes for this, as change for large notes can be hard to find. Your group leader will suggest amounts along the way.

Your phone will work, but roaming is expensive, so most travellers buy a prepaid SIM from Vodafone, Orange, e& (Etisalat) or WE at the airport arrivals hall, bringing their passport, or set up an eSIM before they fly. Data is cheap.

Coverage is good in Cairo and along the Nile Valley, though it can drop out in the desert. Most hotels have Wi-Fi, but it can be slow.

Egypt is a Muslim country and fairly conservative, so modest clothing is respectful and draws less attention. Loose, lightweight clothes that cover your shoulders and knees are ideal, and they keep the sun off too.

To enter a mosque, cover your arms and legs and take your shoes off; women also cover their hair, so a light scarf is useful. Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and beach resorts, but not in towns or at historic sites.

At the big sites, and in the markets, expect a lot of attention from touts selling camel rides, souvenirs and photos, and people offering "free" gifts that come with a price. It is rarely threatening, just persistent.

A smile and a firm "la, shukran" (no, thank you) usually works. Agree any price before you accept a ride or a service, and haggle with good humour in the markets. Your group leader knows who to avoid and will help you get fair prices.

You can photograph the pyramids, temples and street life freely, though some tombs and museums have their own rules or charge for photography. Always ask before photographing people.

Do not photograph military sites, police, officials or government buildings: the UK government warns it is illegal to take or share photos that could be seen as damaging to Egypt. Drones are banned without a permit and carry severe penalties, including prison, so leave yours at home.

Trips run as normal during Ramadan, and it can be a special time to visit. In 2027 it is expected to run from around 8 February to 9 March, depending on the moon.

Many Egyptians fast from dawn to sunset, so some cafés and restaurants close during the day, opening hours at sites may be shorter, and traffic peaks just before sunset. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight. Evenings are lively, with lantern-lit streets and families sharing iftar, the meal that breaks the fast.

We cannot give medical advice, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. They will check your routine vaccinations are up to date and advise on anything else you need for your itinerary.

The TravelHealthPro page for Egypt lists the latest vaccine recommendations, any certificate requirements and advice on food and water hygiene, which is worth reading before you see your GP.